Knitters fans aiming to bring football back to Hinckley were overwhelmed by support at their first public meeting.

More than 150 people turned up to the Clarendon Club to offer backing to the notion of a new community club for the town.

Now a working group of diehard supporters plan to discuss just how the outfit will be run with proposals pencilled in before they are aired at another public gathering.

The idea is to form a club run by members along the same lines as successful soccer co-operatives ranging from European masters FC Barcelona to Conference North side AFC Telford.

Russ Abbott, from the working group, said there was a long way to go and lots of decisions to be made but the venture was underway.

He added: “The support at the meeting exceeded our expectations. We think we are doing the right thing but there is still a long way to go.

“The working group will sit down sometime next week to try and figure out the nitty gritty such as what should be in the constitution, how things will be managed, whether we charge membership, all the fine detail which needs putting in place.”

It is expected questions such as where any new community club will play, who will be in the team and the name of the side, will remain unanswered for some time while the struture of the co-operative is created.

Before organising the Clarendon Club meeting fans had contacted Supporters Direct, an organisation which has worked with and helped set-up a number of community trust clubs.

James Mathie, development director at Supporters Direct and Lee Carter, managing director of AFC Telford, a co-operative which rose from the ashes of bankrupt Telford United were at the meeting, talking about their own experiences.

Mr Abbot said their words had impressed the crowd, adding: “To think we might have football back in Hinckley next season is brilliant.”

He and other Hinckley United followers were dismayed when the club folded in October, owing more than £200,000 after becoming mired in court action and controversy.

Liquidators appointed to deal with the winding up are keen to sell assets, but face difficulties because there are long-running disputes over ownership of various elements.